Levin seeks $60M for coastal surveillance after deadly smuggling attempt off Del Mar

Del Mar lifeguards look over a capsized boat on the beach last week at Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Denis Poror Associated Press Rep Mike Levin called Monday for increased federal funding to create a surveillance system along San Diego s coastline that would prevent smuggling events such as last week s boat capsizing that claimed the lives of multiple undocumented displaced persons The North County Democratic congressman explained he has requested million to promotion a system of autonomous surveillance towers that would utilize cameras radar and infrared mechanism to detect vessels such as the one that capsized off the coast of Del Mar The May maritime smuggling event led to the endorsed deaths of three people including a -year-old boy The boy s -year-old sister remains lost at sea and is presumed dead and both children s parents were among several expatriates who were injured Five people are facing federal charges in San Diego for various alleged roles in the matter Another maritime smuggling mishap on Sunday morning saw a boat carrying multiple displaced persons wash up near Windansea Beach in La Jolla Nine displaced persons were detained by Dividing line Patrol officers in that circumstance As part of efforts to bolster guard along the coast Levin also called on his fellow congressmembers to aid a bill to expand how far into the waters law enforcement can patrol as well as an overhauling of the nation s immigration system You can t just have safety You ve got to have humanity as well Levin noted If we re going to deter people from wanting to take a panga boat then we re going to have to have orderly techniques for people who want to get to the United States for the right reasons